Jay Clemens
Ball Aerospace has performed the final environmental tests for parts of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s telescope program.
The  Membrane Optic Imager Real-Time Exploitation telescope completed the thermal vacuum evaluations for two sections of its primary mirror composite back and hinge structures, Ball Aerospace said Tuesday.
“By retiring risk and increasing [technology readiness level] of key components we are one step closer to providing persistent imaging from space that many communities are eager to access,†said David Kaufman, vice president and general manager for Ball’s national defense strategic business.
Ball Aerospace developed MOIRE’s deployment hinges for the telescope primary to unfold in space.
The final tests were meant to assess the performance of sub-assemblies in holding the membrane optics in place.
